Aluminum alloy



Patented Apr. 18,

oouar c. mus, onmiw YORK, 11.x.

ALUMINUM ALLOY Ho Drawing.

My invention relates to a series of aluminum alloys of novel compositionand properties. The alloys of my invention are articularly characterizedby the presence boron and magnesium and by-the absence of substantialamounts of silicon, copper and iron. The presence of one or more metalsof the group comprising vanadium, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium andcobalt, is also characteristic of the preferred form of my new alloys.

The alloys of the invention combine light weight with a high hardnessand tensile strength. A surprisin property ofthe new alloys is theirhigh e ectrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

The metals may be utilized either in the cast condition, or they mayberolled, drawn orotherwise worked. Mechanical working is preferablycarried out at a temperature of l50450 C. and such working efiects amaterial increase in the tensile strength of the alloys. Wire drawn fromthe alloys of the invention is particularly valuable, since it combinesa relatively high tensile strength with a relatively high conductivity.A further valuable property of such wires is that sleet and snow do notreadily stick to them.

A particularly valuable alloy embodying my invention has the followingcomposition:

Magnesium 1.25% Boron 0.75% Vanadium 0.75% 85 Tungsten 0.7 5%

Aluminum -rema'inder The amount of magnesium may vary from about 0.25%to about 2.25%, the preferred 7 40 amount being from 0.75% to 1.5% andthe boron from 0.05% to 2%, although at"lea,st'

I higher amounts. Either vanadiumor tungsten may be used alone in thesealloys, and either or both may be replaced in whole or in part b one ormore of the metals molybdenum, c romium and cobalt. In neral it Wisadvantageous to use the meta s of the als as oxides.

.s. Applic'ationflcd lay 20.1w. mm No. 818,651.

group including vanadium, tungsten,-molybenum, chromium and cobalt inamounts of from 0.25% to 3.0%; larger amounts may be used, but the" tendto increase the specific. gravity and t e cost of the alloy.

In general it may be said that a principal I function of boron inthe'alloys of the invention is to increase the hardness; a principalfunction of the magnesium is to decrease the specific gravity andincrease the resistance of the alloys against corrosion; and therincipal function of the tungs'ten, vana ium, molybdenum, cobaltandchromium is to increase-the tensile strength of the alloys.

Alloys of the invention as described above have been obtained having aspecific gravity .of 2.66 to 2.70; a tensile strength when cast of30,000to 41,000 pounds per square inch, and when mechanically worked offrom 51,000 to 56,000 pounds; and an. electrical conductivity of 50-58(Ag=100).

An advantageous method of producing the alloys of the invention is asfollows: The aluminum is melted in a crucible and covered with a layerof powderedcharcoal. The charcoal servesto protect the metal fromoxidation and to reduce those metals which are added in the form ofoxides. The magnesium is added as metal and the boron, tungsten andvanadium or their substituting met- The added metals or their oxides areadvantageously added enclosed in aluminum capsules. The boronoxide ispref-, erahly added first, although it may be added together with themagnesium. The other metal oxides may be added together.

I claim: 1. An alloy consisting principally of aluminum and containingfrom 0.05 to 2% of boron, from 0.25 to 2.25% of magnesium, and

from 0.25 to 3% of at least one metal of the group consisting ofvanadium, tungsten,v

molybdenum and chromium. f

2. Anv alloy consisting principally ofaluminum and containing from 0.25to 0.75%

of boron, from 0.75 to 1.5% of magnesium,

and from 0.25% to 3% of at least one metal of the group consisting ofvanadium, tungsten,

molybdenum and chromium.

2 amsms 3. An alloy of about the following cmpw sition Magnesium 1.25%Boron 0.75% 5 Vanadium 0.75%

Tungsten 0.75%;

and the remainder rincipally aluminum. 4. An alloy consistingprincipally of aluminum and containing from 0.05130 2% 0i? boron, from0.25 to 2.25% of magnesium and from 0.25% to 3% of vanadium. Intestimony whereoibl afiix my signature.

C URT Q. TKTUS.

